Rockin' in the New Year

Another New Year's Eve, another all-out celebration. Time to make plans.

The close of 2011 will feature a whole host of fun things to do both individually and as a group all throughout Baltimore come Saturday, Dec. 31.

If fireworks are your thing, you'll want to head down to the Inner Harbor, where Baltimore's New Year's Eve Spectacular starts at 9 p.m. with performances by the local funk and soul band the 8 Ohms. The Inner Harbor Amphitheater, located at Pratt and Light streets, is also the place to be come midnight, when the largest fireworks display in the region will have bombs bursting in the proverbial air. Call 1-877-BALTIMORE or go to http://www.promotionandarts.com.

This year's edition of the Big Night Baltimore party will happen 9 p.m.-2 a.m., at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center. The over-21 event will have 10 themed party areas, featuring music by the top-40 cover band Anna and the Vigilantes, the dance rock group Lost in Paris and the popular party band Collect All 5. There will also be acoustic performers and celebrity DJs. Tickets start at $99.99. For tickets, go to http://www.bignightbaltimore.com.

The celebration that made its debut in 2009, the Charm City Countdown, will take place this year 9 p.m.-2 a.m., in a new location in Baltimore County, the Sheraton Baltimore North (903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson). Live music will be provided by America's Got Talent finalist Drew Stevyns, the alternative rock band 10Blade and the modern rock group Others May Fall. Several DJs and acoustic performers will also be scattered throughout the six entertainment areas. Tickets run $99-$149. Call 410-549-5707 or go to http://www.charmcitycountdown.com.

The Maryland Science Center will hold its fourth annual daytime Year's Eve celebration, "Midnight Noon," which will offer activities for both kids and adults. The celebration runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. As in past years, it will feature the Grammy Award-nominated local children's band Milkshake. Also on the bill will be the kid-friendly improvisational troupe Now This! Entertainment. Events are free with paid admission. Call 410-685-5225 or go to http://www.marylandsciencecenter.org.

The USS Constellation (301 Pratt St., 410-539-1797) will once again offer a close-up view of the fireworks at its annual New Year's Eve Deck Party, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. A special menu will be offered along with tours of the boat and cannon firings. Tickets run $75 general, $25 for children; reservations are required.

More in Baltimore

Classic rock will overtake the Rams Head Live! (20 Market Place, 410-244-1131) in the form of Get the Led Out and High Voltage, a pair of tribute bands that pay homage to Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, respectively. Admission is $35 for these shows, which start at 10 p.m.

Baltimore's 8X10 Club (10 E. Cross St., 410-625-8000) will feature a trio of rock acts, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Jesters of Kindness and Deaf Scene its early New Year's celebration, which starts at 8 p.m. The band Segway will play a later "sunrise set." Admission is $27.05.

The Ottobar (2549 N. Howard St., 410-662-0069), will offer two parties for its New Year's entertainment. The venue's downstairs parties will feature DJ Craig Boarman and DJs Simon Phoenix and Stereo Faith, 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Upstairs will be DJs Dr. Fleshchopper, Neska and Inkfairie, who will do their spinning 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $10 downstairs (which is 18 and older) and free upstairs (which is 21 and older).

DJ Paul Love will perform at the 13th Floor of the Belvedere (1 E. Chase St., 410-347-0888), 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $119 per person and includes hors d'oeuvres, a champagne toast and a view of the downtown fireworks.

The "urban jazz and groove" band Jump Street will again perform jazz at the Rusty Scupper Inner Harbor (410-727-3678), 9 p.m.-1 a.m. The restaurant's "New Year's Eve Extravaganza" includes a four-course dinner and a complimentary champagne toast. Cost is $109.99 per person or 119.99 for a window table, plus tax and gratuity.

In Fells Point, the Cat's Eye Pub (1730 Thames St., 410-276-9866), will host the Ruben Montoya Band, 4-8 p.m., followed by the Roger Girke Band starting at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes a champagne toast.

The nearby Horse You Came In On (1626 Thames St., 410-327-8111), will feature local favorites Frank Florence and Ed Lauer at 10 p.m.

Kevin Buttry and Friend will play acoustic rock at the James Joyce Irish Pub and Bar (616 S. President St., 410-727-5107) at 10 p.m. Admission is free.

1970s and '80s cover band Still Bound will again perform at An Poitin Stil (Timonium, 410-560-7900). Music starts at 9 p.m. and admission is free.

The Fish Head Cantina (4802 Benson Ave., 410-247-2474) in Arbutus will showcase DJ Remedy starting 8 p.m. Admission is $5 and includes a champagne toast and party favors.

Howard highlights

DJ Dean will spin dance tunes at the Second Chance Saloon (5888 Robert Oliver Place, 443-545-5844) starting at 9:30 p.m. The Oakland Mills venue will also be offering drink specials and a special New Year's menu. Admission is free.

Ellicott City's Crab Shanty, which recently changed its name to the Shanty Grille (3410 Plum Tree Drive, 410-465-9660) will feature the Grateful Dead tribute group the Dave Jacobson Band at 9 p.m. Admission is free.

In downtown Ellicott City, The AcousTK's will play acoustic rock at 9:30 p.m. at the Judge's Bench (Main Street, 410-465-3497), starting 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

As in year's past, the Top 40 cover band the Klassix will play the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center (Ellicott City, 410-423-0813). However, this year the event is again sold out early. Turf Valley will offer an earlier dinner, though, in its Alexandra's Restaurant, 5-10 p.m.

Fulton's Looney's Pub South @ Maple Lawn (8180 Maple Lawn Blvd., 301-617-3593) will throw a New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball starting at 10 p.m., with both a live band, Under the Covers, and a disc jockey, DJ Randy. Admission is $10 until Dec. 30, and $15 at the door.

In Laurel, the 8-Balls will play classic rock and top-40 cover tunes 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at Sullivan's Steak & Beverage (9624 Fort Meade Road, 301-498-7427). Admission is $75 per person and includes a prime rib dinner, an open bar, a champagne toast, a breakfast buffet and ride home.

Also in Laurel, High Test will play rock'n'roll covers at Fat Daddy Saloon (9920 Washington Blvd., 301-497-9494) 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m., followed by karaoke. Cost is $15 or $20 for anyone who stays until breakfast. Doors will close between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Out in Annapolis, Howard County-based blues and boogie woogie pianist Deanna Bogart will again play her annual New Year's Eve gig starting at 10 p.m. at the Rams Head On Stage (33 West St., 410-268-4545). Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for this event, which also includes appetizers, a buffet, dessert and a champagne toast. Tickets run $114, plus tax and gratuity.

Washington's version of Big Night Baltimore, Big Night D.C., will run 9 p.m.-3 a.m., at the Gaylord National Resort (201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD). Featured in the 15 party areas will be Mr. Greengenes, Kristen & the Noise, Flounder and White Ford Bronco, plus a host of DJs. Tickets run $139.99-$189.99. Go to http://www.bignightdc.com.

The alternative rock band Third Eye Blind will headline the Downtown Countdown D.C. with a 10:15 p.m. performance at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW). The Dreamscapes Project and the Dirty Heads will also perform, and there will also be rooms featuring comedians and DJs. Tickets for this 21-and-older event run $159. Go to http://www.downtowncountdown.net.

D.C.'s Kennedy Center continues its New Year's tradition of featuring conductor Murry (SIC) Sidlin and members of the National Symphony Orchestra, starting at 8:30 p.m. The program will feature guest guitarist Pepe Romero playing a program featuring selections from Rossini, Enesco, DeFalla, Bernstein, Copland, Tchaikovsky and others. Tickets cost $50-$95. Call 202-416-8555.

At Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave., 202-337-4141) jazz pianist Monty Alexander will help ring in the new year with shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. A dinner and show package is being offered for $100.